Product description

Now in its Fourth Edition, this much loved text offers theoretical and philosophical depth without sacrificing what you need to know in practical terms. With an impressive suite of in-text features and online materials, as well as the authors' ability to tackle complex issues in a clear and accessible way, this textbook makes the whole scope of management research methods approachable. Inside you will find painless coverage of the entire research process as well as a critical, thoughtful treatment of important issues like ethics and politics, making this an invaluable companion to any student or researcher who needs to know about business and management research methods. New to the Fourth Edition: - Expanded coverage of mixed methods - Further guidance on choosing a research question and writing a research proposal - More visual material and an improved, full-colour layout

Author information

http://www.lums.lancs.ac.uk/dml/profiles/64/ Richard Thorpe is Professor of Management Development and Pro Dean for Research at Leeds University Business School. His research interests have included: performance, entrepreneurship, knowledge and leadership as well as research methods in management research. His early career as a management trainee on a Clarks programme informed the way his ethos has developed. Following a period in industry his first academic appointment was as a researcher at Strathclyde University in the Pay and Reward Research Centre. There, as a consequence of the research conducted he developed close links with practitioners, intermediaries and policy makers, something he has strived to maintain as his career progressed. Common themes in his work are: a strong commitment to conducting research in collaboration with practitioners; a focus on action and change; an interest in and commitment to the development of doctoral students and the development of capacity within the sector. Richard has been past president and chair of the British Academy of Management and member of the ESRC Training and Development Board. He is currently chair of the Society for the Advancement of Management Studies.

Review quote

This is an excellent book that covers a variety of management research related topics relevant to undergraduate, postgraduate, and research students as well as to research professionals. Furthermore, the book offers numerous useful practical activities through which readers can apply and advance their understanding in relation to management research Thomas Matheus Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Northumbria University This book has everything that the new and established management researcher needs to know, it is both informative and comprehensive. An excellent introduction Catherine Cassell Professor of Organizational Psychology, Manchester Business School, University of Manchester

Table of contents

Introducing Management and Business Research Introduction The Nature of Management and Business Research What Is Management? Skills and Resources for Management and Business Research Levels and Outcomes of Management Research Is Management Research Distinctive? Conclusion Further Reading The Philosophy of Management Research Introduction The Philosophical Debates Ontology: From Realism to Nominalism Epistemology: Positivism versus Social Constructionism Linking Ontology, Epistemology and Methodology Strengths and Weaknesses of the Main Traditions Overviews of Other Philosophies Conclusion Further Reading Designing Management Research Introduction Epistemology and Researcher Engagement Positivist Research Designs Constructionist Research Designs Case method and Grounded Theory Mixed Methods Common Design Dilemmas Contributing to Theory Contrasting Views on Validity and Reliability Research Design Template Conclusion Further Reading The Politics and Ethics of Management Research Introduction Political Influences on the Research Questions Politics of Access Ethics Utilization of Research Conclusion Further Reading Reviewing the Literature Introduction What Is a Literature Review and What Is Its Purpose? Preparation for the Literature Review Elements of Literature Review Alignment with Study Context and Approach Sources of Information Conclusion Further Reading Creating Qualitative Data Methods for qualitative data collection Collecting data through language Collecting data through observation Understanding data through interaction General concerns related to the collection of qualitative methods Conclusion Further reading Framing Qualitative Data Introduction Analysing natural language data Content analysis and grounded analysis Computer aided analysis Social network analysis Discourse analysis Narrative analysis Conversation analysis Argument analysis Gaining knowledge through interaction Conclusion Further reading Creating Quantitative Data Introduction Sampling design Sources of quantitative data Questionnaire design Conclusion Further reading Summarising and Making Inferences from Quantitative Data Introduction Summarizing and describing data Going beyond a sample Conclusion Further reading Multivariate Analysis Introduction Multivariate analysis of measurement models Multivariate analysis of causal models Conclusion Further reading Writing Management and Business Research The skills of writing The content of reports and dissertations Writing up the literature review Outputs and evaluation Plagiarism Dissemination strategies Conclusion Further reading Answers to exercises Glossary Bibliography Index